Hey guys! So I’ve been seeing this cool nail trend all over the internet, and I decided to give it a try myself!

Check out the steps below and tell me what you think!

Step 1: Get all your supplies together. It’s much easier to do it now than to hunt around for q-tips when your nails are wet. You’ll need: nail polish (three is a good number, but it’s up to you how many you want to use), a cup of water, q-tips, cotton balls (optional), nail polish remover, and a paper towel (optional, unless you like scrubbing nail polish off your coffee table!).

Step 2: Pour some of each color into the water. I would recommend at least three drops of each color so there is enough to cover your nail. (Note: Quick-drying nail polishes don’t work very well. They spread out, as you can see in the pale red film below. It’s best to find a fresh, thick polish.)

Step 3: Use a toothpick to swirl the colors around. Have fun with this — you never know what cool designs you might get!

Step 4: Dip your first nail into the water. Dip at an angle so the whole nail is coated. The polish is going to get on your skin, but don’t worry about that for now.

Step 5: Repeat with the rest of your nails. Add more polish and swirl again if you need more color.

Step 6: Use a cotton ball and Qtip to get all the nail polish off your nail. This can take a while, so take this opportunity to catch up on the latest episode of Grey’s!

Step 7: Top coat. Because this marbled look can be a little bit thicker than your regular manicure, it can also chip off a bit more easily. A good top coat will help prevent this! I tried three different ones: a light blue sparkle coat (thumb and index fingers), a clear coat (middle finger), and a silver sparkle coat (pinkie and ring fingers). I think they’re all fun — what’s your favorite?

Ta-da!

So, gals, what do you think? Is this a go or not? Will you try this trend on your own fabulous fingers?

14 Comments

Sorry ladies…I think not. Thanks for bringing the idea to life though.

Happy Weekend!

November 19, 2010 at 1:55 pm

Espina_Negra

I like it…I really like it. Didn’t think I would, but I do! Just no silver sparkle coat….LOL

November 19, 2010 at 2:01 pm

Anonymous

Hi Espina! I agree — no silver coat. It looks too chunky! Next time I might stick with the clear.

November 19, 2010 at 2:02 pm

Ithica

Undecided on this trend…maybe with different colors.

November 19, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Shelly

Going to try it. I think it’s a neat idea. And I am all for anything out of the ordinary!

There is another way though without sacrificing the time to take all the excess polish off your skin. Take 3 or more colors of polish…dab the colors on each nail (clean nails of course) and swirl the colors with a toothpick. I think this also gives you more control over your swirly design. Let them dry a little then finish off with a top coat. It’s less messy.

November 19, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Anonymous

Great idea, Shelly! I’ll have to try that next time

November 19, 2010 at 4:25 pm

Shannon G

i tried this before and it turned out not so great but i will try it aghain and see wat happens!!

November 19, 2010 at 5:19 pm

Jessica

the results are soo cool! must try this out sometime, thanks!

November 19, 2010 at 6:15 pm

Chelsy Murphy

I have mastered this technique! It took a few tries and searching some great clean-up tips but I promise you’ll get mad compliments!

November 20, 2010 at 1:22 pm

katelyn

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!

August 1, 2011 at 12:43 pm

alyssa

Add a comment I just started this and every time I swirl the nail polish with the toothpick all the polish comes on the toothpick. I really want to do this design can anyone help?

August 28, 2013 at 11:05 am

Alli

If you put vaseline on your fingers before you dip your nails in the Polish it will rub right off with a paper towel:)

November 27, 2013 at 3:52 pm

amy

Did it with clear glass ornaments. And used a straight pin to swirl it

November 29, 2013 at 8:25 pm

C. Kiss

rather than trying to clean all the nail polish off your skin, take a small paint brush and paint elmers glue or similar around your nail and under the edge of your nail. let it dry and then dip your nails. let that dry then just peel the painted glue off. be careful though not to get things too thick because it might peel off the colour on your nail too.